2018 May June

Committee Reports
for all exercises. Another reason to have courses pre-approved so Tracking Committee
you can enjoy your judging experience.
Beth MacLehose, CommitteeChair, bmaclehose@gmail.com
The education videos demonstrating correct performances of The tracking committee has been cleaning up the rule book.
the old and new signs has been completed, but completing all of the This includes changing the distance between tracks from 75 yards
work associated with posting them on the web is taking much longer to 50 yards to give clubs more room to put in tracks. The 50 yard
than anticipated. If there is anyone out there with computer skills distance has worked well for AKC and not caused any problems
that enjoys working on the computer, the committee would welcome so we felt it would help our clubs who want to be able to put in as
the assistance. The process is slowed because we only have 1 person many tracks as possible.
on the committee with such skills. This is your chance to use those We also cleaned up the language around judge requirements
skills that your real job just doesn’t utilize.
and made sure they were included in the rule book, not just the
The ASCA Template for course building is an Excel appendix.
spreadsheet, that works well if you have access to excel, and We are currently wrapping up a motion to allow dogs to wear
know the basics. There are a few little tricks that that are a little protective foot wear and coats. This will help other breed dogs
beyond basic, that prove very helpful when building courses. When tracking in areas with rugged cover/poor weather. This will also
you know what key to press, magic things can happen that make help aussies who may be traveling long distance for a test and not
your life so much easier. Some of these little tricks can also help be acclimated to the conditions in the new area. It will also make
avoid having an illegal course by using the same excellent signs more tracking venues available to use that without protection may
on the Masters and Excellent courses. The committee is happy have been deemed too rough or dangerous.
to work with any judges who would like a little assistance with We are also continuing to discuss an introduction/beginning
course building. Please email Corinne Shanks, ASCA Rally Chair, tracking title to try and encourage more activity in tracking in the
gckennel@aol.com.
ASCA community.
If you need help putting on a tracking event, please contact
any committee member, we would love to help you.
On the cover . . .
2017 and 2014 ASCA National Superdog Champion
HTCH SPCH OTCH5 WTCH Cut’n Loose Indian Princess UDX, RAX, AKC/UDX, PUDX, OM1, GO, BN, NA, VER,
CGC, AHBA/HRD-llls, HTAD-llls, RLF lll, HTD-ld – Cheyenne
Cheyenne and I were honored to win the 2017 ASCA National
Superdog Championship in Texas last fall at the ASCA Nationals.
We are the second dog/handler to win this Championship twice
in ASCA Obedience history, having also won it in 2014. It was
wonderful experience and one that I will never forget. My goal was
to “qualify” on each and every exercise. That we did.
Cheyenne is a fantastic Australian Shepherd in the truest sense.
She loves working cattle and sheep, she’s super dependable in
agility and loves the sport of obedience, if she can’t be working
cows. And loves her family completely. Since she has turned 12
years old last week (March 13th), we are semi-retired from stock
and agility. Our ASCA OTCH5 was completed at Nationals.
I am forever grateful to Jamie Burns of Cut’n Loose Stockdogs for
allowing me the joy of having Cheyenne as a vital member of The
Franks’ Gang. I am also very thankful to all of the mentors who have
taught, advised, and encouraged us along the way.
Thank you, Cheyenne! I truly love you and so very very proud to call
you mine. Shetland Sheepdog brother “Rider” agrees! : )
~ Cindy Franks
Owner: Cindy Franks
AUSSIE TIMES May-June 2018 51